On A Budget? 5 Free Things To Do In Paris

Paris is absolutely one of my favourite cities in the entire world! There is so much love and light in the air and the food and culture are like no other city. Paris is the first city I travelled to by myself! That’s right solo traveller in Paree! I had an absolute blast and met some amazing people along the way.

Did I mention I was also on a major budget? I know what it’s like to pinch pennies, shoot, I’m still grabbing my coins tight! But I’ve got something for you jet setters!

If you’re on a budget and planning a trip to the city of love, you’re in luck. I’ve got some major goodies for you. Here’s another edition of “5 Free Things To Do”!

You’re welcome!

Musée du Louvre – No trip to Paris is complete without a cheesy tourist photograph outside of the iconic pyramid of inarguably one of the most famous and largest museums in the world. While it is not free to enter the museum, it is free to snap photos outside. While I highly recommend going in, most people never go inside, *raises hand*, I didn’t on my first visit, but I made sure to explore the inside on my second visit. If you’re in Paris between the months of October – March, entrance is free on the first Sunday of every month!

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris – Located in the heart of Paris steps away from the Seine River is a true French Gothic masterpiece, the ‘Our Lady’ Catholic cathedral is too iconic and too breathtaking not to visit. I’m sorry, I had to visit and relive my Disney memories, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, anyone!? Moving right along, admire the intricate medieval edifice decorated with stone-carved gargoyles before taking a stroll inside. Remember, while it is one of the most visited sights in the world, it also is a fully functioning cathedral. No flash photography.

Jardin des Tuileries – The French know how to keep a garden, let me tell you that! If you’re looking for a great place to take a romantic stroll, sip some wine or just people watch, look no further. The perfectly manicured gardens that separate the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde were created by Queen Catherine de Medici as the gardens of the Tuileries Palace, which served as the home of French Monarchs.

Eiffel Tower – Can I tell you, it’s even better in ‘real life’? Better than the movies and pictures? It’s larger than life and it takes your breath away. It’s historic and unbelievable and for this reason, you can’t miss it. I usually advise people to not only visit in the day but in the night as well because of the spectacular and romantic light show. You can also have dinner on the inside, but of course, that’s not free. However, the view from the top is ahhhhmazing!

Ponte Des Artes – What can I say, Paris is for the lovers. If you’re in Paris with your love, take a stroll over this famous bridge that crosses over the River Seine. This was the bridge for lovers to lock their love in, in the form of locks. Unfortunately, the weight of the locks put significant stress on the bridge and had to be removed. The views from this bridge are gorgeous, but if you’re bummed about the locks, don’t be, if you walk down a little you’ll see other areas to leave a lock memento with your one and only.

To be honest, it was kind of hard for me to write this because there are so many free things to do in Paris. From sitting on the steps of Sacré-Cœur Basilica watching the sunset to stopping at random spots around the city listening to the free impromptu concerts from artists to strolling the French markets, there is so much to do.

You might also like

4 Comments

This list is awesome and so on time as I am doing a 1 day(budget) jaunt in Paris after I leave Greece.
Do you think that it’s possible to visit all of these places AND Montmartre Village in the same day? I want to pack in as much as I can in 24 hours!

Hey Kimberly it’s very doable! You have to start as early as possible. You can get up as early as you can, try get some breakfast, this spot I went to called Claus is amazing, then head to the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Gardens together, they are in the same area, walking distance, if you want you can also pack the Arch in as well. After you can hop in an Uber to the Eiffel Tower snap some photos and finish things up at Montmartre Village. Pack snacks and water so you don’t have to stop too much. I would say get some nice croissants, they are available at carts in the Gardens. Paris is so amazing and magical just one day isn’t enough but it’s quite all right! On my first visit I didn’t have that much time either and I felt full
in the time that I spent there!

My flight lands at 8:30 AM, so once I check into my hotel , I’m gonna hit the ground running. I plan to use the Hop on/Hop Off boat as well to help me cover a much ground as possible. I hope to try that breakfast spot as well.